ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Consultation and Training section will sponsor an OSHA 10-hour construction course April 20 and 21, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This course is most suitable for entry-level workers and upon successful completion, an OSHA 10-hour card will be mailed to students. Instructors for this course are certified outreach trainers and/or Occupational Safety and Health consultants.Course topics will include:

If you are a postsecondary training provider who is not regionally or nationally accredited, and you offer one or more CTE Certificate programs, including Registered Apprenticeship, have you applied to participate in the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) Program? The application is easy and would allow qualified students to use their APS for your training! For non - regionally or nationally accredited institutions, you must apply through ACPE and DOLWD for your CTE certificate program to participate in APS. Apply now for participation beginning July 1, 2017!

For more information, visit the APS website or read the informational flyers posted below.

Public NoticeThe State Training and Employment Program (STEP)Request for Grant Applications for State Fiscal Year 2018

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Employment and Training Services requests grant applications for training projects in priority industries under the State Training and Employment Program (STEP). The STEP is funded by a percentage of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and is appropriated to the Division by the Alaska State Legislature.

The purpose of the STEP is to enhance the quality and accessibility of in-state training and employment services for Alaska residents to help meet the workforce needs of employers in the state. STEP seeks to increase resident employment in industries where a high number of nonresidents are working, reduce future unemployment claims, and foster economic growth in all regions by meeting employers demand for a skilled workforce.

Organizations with training projects that will upgrade the skills of the local workforce with the latest national and state certifications and competencies in demand by employers in the priority industries are encouraged to apply. Training participants must meet the eligibility requirements of the STEP.

The deadline for submission of grant applications is Friday, April 14, 2017 by 5:00 p.m. Funding of STEP grant awards is limited by the availability of funds each fiscal year and subject to appropriation by the Alaska State Legislature.

​Questions about this solicitation should be directed to:Julie Frizzell, Program Coordinatorjulie.frizzell@alaska.gov(907) 269-4590

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's CTE Team recently released an updated infographic showing various aspects of CTE students in Alaska high schools in the 2015-2016 school year and with some four-year trends. The summary shows, among other things, that about a third of Alaska's students took at least one CTE class while in high school and that CTE concentrators have a 94% graduation rate and are 21% more likely to graduate than non-CTE concentrators. For a PDF of the infographic and table shown below, visit this link.

Thirty-one U.S. Senators co-sponsored a resolution in support of Career and Technical Education. The resolution states that the Senate has designated February 2017 as CTE Month, and it honors the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917.

The resolution speaks to CTE as a workforce development strategy that includes training in employability skills along with the academic and technical knowledge and skills that are required for well-paying careers in high-demand occupations. It also encourages counselors and other educators to promote CTE as an option for students.

Join workforce, economic development, and education professionals from across the state at the third Alaska Can Conference, sponsored by the Alaska Postsecondary Access and Completion Network - 65 by 2025!

The Postsecondary Access and Completion Network is currently accepting nominations for individuals to serve on the 2017-2019 Board of Directors.

If you have a desire to formally engage in advocacy and support of postsecondary access and success, please consider adding your name to the ballot for the Alaska Postsecondary Access and Completion Network Board of Directors! The Network relies on the efforts and expertise of our Board members to guide the organization through voting on policy decisions, assisting with setting and accomplishing goals, and continued successful development.

Any Network member wishing to stand for election may nominate themselves, or be nominated by another Network member. Please review the Public Announcement Seeking Nominations for more information.

Individuals seeking nomination should fill out the Nomination Questionnaire and submit it, along with a personal biography, to the Election Committee via e-mail (65by2025@gmail.com) or fax (907.269.7991), by February 24, 2017, at 5:00PM (Alaska time).

If you have any questions about this election process, please call Barbara Mongar at 907-269-7973 or e-mail her at Barbara.mongar@alaska.gov

​ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson responds to a recent op-ed in the Baltimore Sun. ​"On January 1, William Durden published an op-ed titled, “Creating a credible alternative to college.” Unfortunately, while his desire for an improved education system is clear, he completely overlooks the clear solution – stronger investments in today’s high-quality career and technical education system."

The Alaska Postsecondary ​Access and Completion Network announces its annual conference for March 23-24 at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott. Information on registration, presentations, and exhibits is below.

The Alaska Postsecondary Access & Completion Network is pleased to announce our 3rd annual conference! This year’s theme is “Alaska Can - Together!”Alaska must prioritize the workforce and economic development needs of our state. In times where doing more with less is the way forward, it is critical that we collectively impact what we cannot change alone. The conference is a time for Alaskans— professionals in education, business, industry, public service—to unite and work together to increase the number of Alaskans enrolling and succeeding in postsecondary education. You will:• Develop practical skills to overcome common obstacles• Build and grow partnerships• Learn from stories of success• Identify priorities and opportunities for program alignment

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has released its draft quality framework elements for secondary to postsecondary CTE programs of study.

This is part of a larger effort by ACTE to identify the elements and criteria of a comprehensive, research-based quality CTE program of study framework to use in the dissemination of CTE best practices.

JUNEAU, Alaska—The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is hosting a Registered Apprenticeship Roundtable on December 6th and 7th in Chugiak. The roundtable will highlight major expansions of Alaska apprenticeships by employers in the health care, maritime, and aviation industries. It will also explore innovative new programs to link apprenticeship with college credit, in partnership with the University of Alaska and other institutions of higher education.

“Whether it’s a new apprenticeship in health care or a longstanding training program in construction, we know that Registered Apprenticeship is a cornerstone of Alaska’s strong middle class,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas.

Over the past year, the state has worked closely with employers from Fairbanks to Anchorage to Juneau to expand apprenticeship.Expansion of Apprenticeship in Alaska:

The Alaska Air Carriers Association is developing Commercial Pilot, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic, and Aircraft Dispatcher apprenticeships.

Calista Corporation has started a multi-employer maritime apprenticeship program for Deckhand, Able Bodied Seaman, and other maritime occupations in partnership with Brice Marine and other employers.

The University of Alaska Anchorage is developing a new program to link apprenticeships with college credit.

The roundtable will take place at the Alaska Laborers Training School, located at 17805 Old Glenn Highway in Chugiak, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 6th and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on December 7th.

Money Smart, developed by the FDIC in 2001, is a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help low- and moderate-income individuals outside the financial mainstream enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. The curricula is free and can be used in different venues, including one-on-one sessions or in classroom-style settings. The curriculum aligns with the financial education element of the youth formula programs in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Using the Money Smart for Grades 9-12 and ages 19-20 curriculum, you will learn how each lesson is structured and we will walk through two lessons (Can You Pay Your Bills? and Capacity, Character, Collateral, Capital) to demonstrate how the instructor guide, student handouts and presentation slides are used. These lessons provide guidance on how to develop budgets and how to manage credit.Please join us on December 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM EST for a train-the-trainer session and suggestions to delivering the curriculum to the youth in your programs. The login information is below.

The Alaska Division of Economic Development needs your feedback to develop an economic strategy for Alaska. Take this short survey to share your thoughts about our economy and your vision for a prosperous Alaska.

Both the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) and the Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education (Alaska ACTE) recently adopted resolutions in support of reauthorizing the Alaska Technical and Vocational Education Program (TVEP) during the upcoming legislative session.

Established by the Alaska legislature in 2000, TVEP provides training funds to specific technical education providers across the state. For more information about the program, please visit the following websites:

JUNEAU, Alaska— Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas appointed Cathy LeCompte to serve as the Director of AVTEC, the department’s post-secondary vocational education school located in Seward. She is the first woman to serve as director of the school which was founded in 1969.

“AVTEC is an excellent choice for Alaskans seeking top quality career and technical education,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “Director LeCompte’s capable leadership will ensure the school continues to thrive.”

Ms. LeCompte was most recently employed as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Community and Technical College. Prior to that, she was Campus Director of the University of Alaska Southeast in Ketchikan. Ms. LeCompte earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at City University and a master’s degree in leadership at Seattle University.

“As an Alaskan who has personally benefitted from career and technical education, I am excited to join the wonderful team at AVTEC,” said Director LeCompte. “I look forward to being part of the community in Seward and serving the students who come to AVTEC from across the state.”

AVTEC offers training programs in several fields including maritime, professional baking and cooking, industrial trades, welding, and information technology. For a complete listing of programs offered or information on how to become a student at AVTEC, please visit www.avtec.edu or call 1-800-478-5389.

The week of November 14 - 20, 2016 has been designated as the second annual National Apprenticeship Week.

"Apprenticeships are experiencing a modern renaissance in America because the earn-while-learn model is a win-win proposition for workers looking to punch their ticket to the middle-class and for employers looking to grow and thrive in our modern global economy.” — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez

"The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is seeking and contractor for:

Promotion, development, and continuation of all Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) organizations throughout the state of Alaska with an emphasis in increased student participation, especially at rural sites;

Provision of professional development for CTSO advisors (teachers); and

As part of its mission to support education and training that leads to employment and careers, the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) is soliciting nominations for three categories of the David G. Stone Award. The award, which was established to recognize outstanding partners in workforce development, was named in recognition of Mr. Stone’s dedication to workforce development and Alaska hire. Mr. Stone served as the Department of Labor and Workforce Development deputy commissioner and as vice-chair of the AWIB for many years. He was a dedicated public servant serving on the Juneau Assembly as deputy mayor, Southeast Conference, Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Miners Association, and helped to establish mine training programs throughout Alaska.

Awards are given in three categories:

Employer of the Year

K-12 Career and Technical Education Instructor/Administrator

Post-secondary Career and Technical Education Instructor/Administrator

JUNEAU, Alaska—The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a competitive grant of $1,019,985 to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train Alaskans for careers in the health care and aviation industries. The training will utilize Registered Apprenticeships, which are employer driven workforce development programs that combine structured on the job training with technical classroom instruction.

Registered Apprenticeships supported by the grant include Community Health Worker, Medical Administrative Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Biller/Coder, Commercial Pilot, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic, and Aircraft Dispatcher. The apprenticeships will be accessible statewide, with strong participation from air carriers and primary care clinics serving rural villages and hub communities, in addition to Alaska’s urban centers.